Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, the primary intent of the bill is to respond to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision of 2015. That is what the bill is about. We have recognized the importance of the Supreme Court decision, and we are acting in that regard. When the Supreme Court of Canada speak

Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, public safety has to be at the very core of what any government promotes, and respecting the RCMP speaks to that. Having the ability to stand up and recognize officers who every day put their lives on the line for our safety is a moment of pride for everyone in the

Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, I find it rather puzzling that Conservative members opposite would raise sympathetic concerns now about municipalities. Under the previous government, we had a decade of federal-provincial-municipal relations that left a lot to be desired. Considering it is budget

Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, collective bargaining is at the core of any democracy. Any democracy will be reflective of particular interests and concerns. These are interests and concerns that often divert. Therefore, if we do not respect the collective bargaining process in any labour relatio

Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act  Madam Speaker, consultation is ongoing. As far as the record of the previous government goes, I have a number: $150 billion in debt. I rest my point on that.

Criminal Code  moved that Bill C-242, an act to amend the Criminal Code (inflicting torture), be read the second time and referred to a committee. Madam Speaker, I stand today to formerly address my private member's bill, Bill C-242, an act to amend the Criminal Code (inflicting torture). Af

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, indeed, I am open to amendments. I would invite colleagues to allow this bill to move to committee where it can be studied. In particular, on the concerns around sentencing, I am open to having the sentence lowered. In this private member's bill, I have called for

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, as long as the underlying essence of the offence is recognized, in other words, the infliction of severe and prolonged pain and suffering for the purpose of intimidation and coercion. I am open to the justice committee looking at the definitional issues. I know the

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, in my view there is no charge that comes close. There is section 269.1 of the Criminal Code, but that applies only to acts of state torture, acts committed by state officials for the purposes of extracting information, for example, or for some other purpose. Aggrav

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo the statements of my hon. colleague who just spoke. Linda MacDonald and Jeanne Sarson have been tireless advocates on this issue. I would also like to thank in addition to Jeanne and Linda, the Native Women's Association of Canada, Amnesty Inte

Canadian Heritage  Mr. Speaker, many Canadian films have received international acclaim in the past year. One fine example is the Telefilm Canada-funded movie, Room, a Canadian Screen Awards- and Oscar-winning picture. Room is a Canada–Ireland audiovisual treaty co-production. It stars Canada's o

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague has spoken passionately about the Canada child benefit. I wonder if he could elaborate on how he expects the benefit to support people in Kitchener—Waterloo.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of sadness that I rise in the House today. I speak for the people of London, Ontario, when I tell the people of Fort McMurray that we are thinking of them and that our prayers are with them. We in London and Canadians across the country are al

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Certainly, Mr. Speaker, this government has spoken about the need to take pensions seriously, once and for all, in this country. We are looking at this in collaboration with the provinces and I would expect to see action on these sorts of measures. In addition, I would emphasize

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, as someone who saw his parents work 12 or 15 hours a day sometimes, I can say that what small businesses need most are customers. Therefore, this budget puts forward measures that would actually grow our economy and help small businesses grow their consumer base. It